The Viewpoint

Come cheer on the robotics team, the Oakview CyberDragons and their robot Bowser Bot, this weekend at the Michigan State Championship. All three middle schools have earned an invite to the championship competitions - there will be Dragons everywhere! Games will be played at Macomb Community College (14500 E. 12 Mile Rd, Warren, MI) on both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday the action begins at about 2:30pm and goes until about 7pm. On Sunday the matches continue at 9am and go until about 6pm. This event is free for all.

Our district literacy coach, Kelly Day, has put together a valuable resource for parents to be able to help support their middle school student grow as writers. Check out this awesome video:

Supporting the Middle School Writer

The week of December 18, there are two opportunities to see our fantastic music department shine. Our band will put on their Cabaret Concert on Tuesday, December 19, at 7:00 p.m. and our choir performs their Holiday Concert on Wednesday, December 20, at 7:00 p.m. If your student has outgrown any black dress pants, black skirts, or black dress shoes, Oakview would love to take the donation of those gently used items. 'Tis the season to do a good deed - help out other Oakview students so they don't have to purchase new dressy attire! Donations can be dropped of here in the main office. Thanks for your generosity!

Oakview offers holiday assistance to our families in need. We provide clothing, gifts, gift cards, or food items for Oakview families to ensure they have a special holiday season. If you are interested in donating to help those that need the support, please check out the Amazon Wishlist or for a monetary donation, please reach out to Sarah Perry at sarah.perry@lok12.org.

Holiday Assistance Wishlist

Oakland County Health Division will be here the week of December 18, to provide no cost vision screenings to all seventh grade students. Sixth grade students can also be screened, but do need to make this request (email Megan Taylor, megan.taylor@lok12.org). For more information, pleas see attached flyer from OCHD.

Vision Screening

Holiday Crafts Events

Get in the spirit of giving with another holiday craft event. Join Mrs. Kutchen on Monday, December 11th for the festivities. There will be music, crafts, and hot chocolate!

Flyer

Permission Slip

GAP Waiver

Guitar Club

Oakview is starting a guitar club - no experience is necessary! Mr. Reed will be hosting the club on Thursdays, starting December 14, from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Students can bring or borrow (first come / first serve) a guitar. Students should stop by the main office to sign up!

Ski/Snowboard Club

The snow is here, and Pine Knob is officially opened for the season!

Pine Knob has notified us that registration for this year’s ski club will close on Friday, December 1st! If you still need to register, you can use this link (look for the Lake Orion Middle School Ski/Snowboard Club) : Register For Ski Club Here

If you have any issues registering on Friday, please send an email to Jacqueline.moses@lok12.org and we will work with you on Monday to get your order squared away!

For those of you who have already purchased your memberships, we are waiting on Pine Knob to officially give us the go ahead to hand out memberships. As soon as we can make those available to you, we will be in touch.

Two proposals on the ballot: Supporting student programming and keeping our facilities up to date.

Lake Orion Community Schools has two replacement millages on the February 27, 2024 ballot. Voter approval of both replacement millages will keep tax rates at their current levels!

The first proposal is a non-homestead operating replacement millage. This millage generates funds for programs and services provided by the school district. The non-homestead millage is not levied on primary residences. It is only levied on businesses, second homes, rental property, and vacant land. The millage has been supported by LOCS voters since 1994. The State of Michigan requires this millage for LOCS to receive full student funding (foundation allowance).

The second proposal is a sinking fund replacement millage. This millage was previously approved by LOCS voters in 2016 and funds building repairs, school security, transportation and technology.

For more information on the replacement millages, visit our website: www.lakeorionschools.org/district/schoolelectioninformation.

A supportive, nurturing home environment is key to consistent school attendance. Parents set the tone when it comes to valuing education and prioritizing school. Specific strategies include:

Establishing routines. Having regular bedtimes, morning routines, and homework schedules reinforces discipline and organization. Routines make attendingschool seamless rather than a daily battle.

Being involved. Taking an active interest in a child’s education by discussing school events, helping with homework, and engaging with teachersdemonstrates that school matters. This motivates students to participate fully.

Managing health issues. Making doctor’s appointments, managing medications, and communicating with the school nurse help minimize sick days. Openly discussing anxiety or depression also enables support.

Providing reliable transportation. Consistent attendance depends on students having a safe, timely way to get to school. Arranging carpools or public transportation prevents logistical barriers.

Limiting academic pressure. While high expectations are beneficial, excessive pressure can cause anxiety, burnout, and avoidance. Maintaining a supportive, balanced environment prevents this.

Reinforcing attendance. Using positive reinforcement when children attend regularly focuses attention on what matters. Privileges like time with friends can be linked to meeting attendance goals.

Seeking help when needed. If excessive absences persist despite efforts, school counsellors, parenting support groups, and truancy officers can provide additional assistance and resources.

The bottom line, if you demonstrate that school attendance is important to you, it will be important to your children.

The intent of the Distinguished Dragon program is to ensure that staff members who go above and beyond their regular duties are appreciated. The additional effort or support can range from helping an individual to helping a group or any effort that seems worthy of praise.

The staff member can be nominated by a student, parent, community member or even their own colleague. We ask for the submitter's name and contact information to follow up with specific questions if necessary.

Please complete the form entirely so the individual can be appropriately honored for their contributions.

DISTINGUISHED DRAGON SUBMISSION

12/8

Friends and Fun Night, 7 - 9 p.m. - Winter Wonderland Theme

12/11

Gaming Club

Holiday Craft Club

Basketball VS. Oxford GOLD

12/12

Basketball Team Pictures

12/13

Basketball @ Pontiac

12/14

Art Club

Guitar Club

12/18-12/21

Oakland County Vision Screening, 7th Grade Students

This week Oakview will be focusing on the character strength of Self-Control. Self-control means you can control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.

Self-control is the act of managing behavior in a way that positively influences goal attainment and living up to standards. Possessing this strength protects people from destabilizing emotional extremes. Those with self-control can limit impulsive behavior. They are able to experience and navigate difficulty while remaining poised. Self-control does not mean a lack of thoughts, feelings, or impulses; it just means you have command over them.

A group’s ability to demonstrate self-control often appears in the form of “self-monitoring.” This means the individuals demonstrate honesty with one another about successful group practices. When things are unsuccessful, group members can adjust roles in the interest of overall group success.

To practice and encourage the character strength of self-control with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2), where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.